Colorado non res draw question

[cnelk]

I'll give everyone tip - even NonRes

Pertaining to Leftovers

Read the SECONDARY DRAW STATS for the unit you're interested in

You'll see the General Draw Quota

Below that you'll see the Balance [AFTER the Secondary Draw]

Those tags will be able to be purchased OTC - even for NonRes

A quick search I found over 1000 tags that were available for Nonres ES Archery Elk last year.

Now the Disclaimer:
The CPW could reduce or increase tag allotment in 2026.
But I seriously doubt they will reduce any NonRes tags...

 

[well_known_rokslider]

I'll give everyone tip - even NonRes

Pertaining to Leftovers

Read the SECONDARY DRAW STATS for the unit you're interested in

You'll see the General Draw Quota

Below that you'll see the Balance [AFTER the Secondary Draw]

Those tags will be able to be purchased OTC - even for NonRes

A quick search I found over 1000 tags that were available for Nonres ES Archery Elk last year.

Now the Disclaimer:
The CPW could reduce or increase tag allotment in 2026.
But I seriously doubt they will reduce any NonRes tags...

No doubt, and not to be argumentative, but within the context of the OP’s original question, ‘applying’ for these tags as a second/+ choice is not guaranteed OTC. Once they make it through all the draw, IF they are left over, sure they are available for OTC, but there’s no guarantee there. I’ll shut up now


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[Mighty Mouse]

No doubt, and not to be argumentative, but within the context of the OP’s original question, ‘applying’ for these tags as a second/+ choice is not guaranteed OTC. Once they make it through all the draw, IF they are left over, sure they are available for OTC, but there’s no guarantee there. I’ll shut up now


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Agreed. Using CPW's definitions, there are two types of OTC tags: "unlimited" and "leftover limited". I would only call unlimited OTC tags "guaranteed," because you are literally guaranteed the opportunity to get one. However (as you pointed out previously), unlimited OTC non-resident archery elk tags west of I-25 were eliminated as of 2025. Leftover limited OTC NR archery elk tags west of I-25 may be available if the tag quota isn't reached during the primary and secondary draws. If those tags do make it to the leftover list, they're available first-come-first-served OTC up to the limit of the tag quota. It's fair to assume that tags with quota remaining after the secondary draw last year will again become leftover limited OTC tags this year, but (like you said) it's not a literal guarantee.